I learnt some time ago that there’s more to Dominoes than merely matching the pips. Tri-Ominos from Pressman Toy Corporation is Dominoes with attitude. The 56 Tri-Ominos tiles (obviously in a triangular shape) feature a numeral on each of the three edges. Players match two sides of one of their tiles to a tile that is already on the table. The first player to reach 400 points wins! Along the way, you earn bonus points for forming a closed hexagon, when you build a bridge, and when you sidle up against a bridge. Play rules are simple, well-explained, and will require some referring to, till you get a handle on the scoring. Drawing tiles from the well to get a match loses you points. A game comprises multiple rounds. It’s fast-paced. Simple, mental math is required. Tri-Ominos is a two to six player game, and a first-rate buy. Selling at just under Rs 1,000, you might hesitate at the shelf, wondering whether this unknown title is worth the investment. Don’t!
Within a couple of rounds, intriguing geometric patterns emerged on the table. Clearly there is an element of luck in starting off and drawing tiles with numerals that provide the match you need. Thankfully though, Tri-Ominos does not settle as a game of chance. There is cunning strategy and much daring involved. Should you strike up a match as soon as an opportunity presents itself? Should you plan ahead, building multiple connection points that will allow you to maximise each match you finally select? Tri-Ominos demands company that’s focused on the game. Set aside the mobiles. Hold the chit-chat about life and times. Play to win. Review game plans with your opponent after every round. Applaud well-played moves. Enjoy setting up elaborate configurations and carefully hoard the tiles you believe will help you make moves that earn bonus points. Every now and then, appreciate the patterns you’ve unconsciously created on the table. As in many games of strategy, there are familiar ‘set moves’ you’ll come to recognise. And some that you’ll be partial to. It’s an education in itself to play these set moves against different opponents, and second guess what they might do in response. Incredibly, patterns emerge here too. Sadly, I’ve never been able to convert this insight into victory!
The author may be contacted at arup_kavan@yahoo.com [1]
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